Apparatus for  infant sleep positioning

ABSTRACT

The present apparatus comprises an infant bolster pillow with a unique shape, texture, and features. The pillow is L-shaped with a long side and a relatively short side at a right angle to, and at the end of, the long side. The apparatus has a soft three dimensional surface that promotes tactile exploration by the infant while remaining soft to the touch. The L-shape prevents the pillow from rolling during use, as the short arm prevents the rotation of the pillow during use. In one embodiment, each pillow has a hidden fastening mechanism so that a pair of pillows can be linked together to provide tummy time for the infant with the same apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE SYSTEM

Studies have shown that an infant should sleep on his or her back. This is considered the safest position for the infant and is considered an important method to reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, infants may roll onto their side during sleep, a more dangerous position for the infant.

Even when the infant does not roll over, there is the possibility for positional plagiocephaly, a flattened or misshapen head, or brachycephaly, the flattening of the back of the skull of the infant.

The current art has attempted to solve the problem of keeping the infant on its back during sleep in a number of ways. One method is to provide a mat with two sides shaped in the form of bolsters. The infant sleeps with its arms adjacent the bolsters with the theory that the infant is unlikely to roll on its side due to the bolsters. A disadvantage of this system is that the bolsters are necessarily a predefined distance apart. This means that it is optimal only for infants of a certain size. In addition, as the infant grows, the infant may become too large for the mat device to be effective. This device has only one use, and is not very effective for that use.

Another prior art attempt is the use of separate roll-shaped bolsters that are placed along either side of an infant. The disadvantage of these bolsters is that they roll when in use, possibly rolling away from the infant and allowing the infant to roll on its side.

The present apparatus comprises an infant bolster pillow with a unique shape, texture, and features. The pillow is L-shaped with a long side and a relatively short side at a right angle to, and at the end of, the long side. The apparatus has a soft three dimensional surface that promotes tactile exploration by the infant while remaining soft to the touch. The L-shape prevents the pillow from rolling during use, as the short arm prevents the rotation of the pillow during use. In one embodiment, each pillow has a hidden fastening mechanism so that a pair of pillows can be linked together to provide tummy time for the infant with the same apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is top view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus. The apparatus is a pillow, typically used in pairs, to provide infant sleep support and tummy training using the same apparatus. FIG. 1 shows two pillows 101 and 102. Pillow 101 is comprised of a long arm 103 and short arm 105 at approximately a right angle to long arm 103 and at one end of long arm 103. Similarly, pillow 102 is comprised of a long arm 104 and short arm 106, also at approximately a right angle to long arm 104 and at the end of long arm 104.

Pillows 101 and 103 are covered with a soft fabric outer layer 107 and 108 respectively. The surface of the outer layer 107 is covered with soft fabric bumps or protrusions 111. Similarly, the surface of outer layer 108 is covered with soft fabric bumps 110. These bumps are soft by add texture to the pillow. An infant is encouraged by the texturing to have a tactile experience with the pillow during use. In addition, the fabric bumps 110 and 111I create a small gap next to the infant, allowing some air flow to be provided near the infant's arms during use, resulting in a more comfortable experience for the infant.

Pillow 101 illustrates the construction of the apparatus in an embodiment. The pillow includes an inner member 109 which may be a fabric covered foam insert that defines the shape and density of the pillow. In one embodiment, the inner member 109 may be filled with buckwheat to provide its shape. The outer layer 107 is a bag like member that receives the inner member 109. The bag may then be folded closed with extra material, so there is no need for rigid fasteners such as zippers, snaps, or buttons that could irritate or harm the infant. The inner member 109 may be a single L-shaped member that coincides with the outer layer 107 in one embodiment. In one embodiment the inner member may be comprised of two separate members, one for short arm 103 and one for the long arm 105. The inner member 109 can be easily removed and the outer layer 107 can be washed when needed, and then the inner member can be reinserted for continued use. In one embodiment the inner member 109 is not washable and in one embodiment the inner member 109 is washable.

The pillows 101 and 102 can be used to define a sleep area for an infant and may be used in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring first to FIG. 2, the pillows 101 and 102 are placed with long arms 103 and 104 parallel to each other, and short arms 105 and 106 at the same end of the infant and pointing towards each other. The pillows 101 and 102 are place close to the arms of the infant when the infant is laying on its back on the sleep surface.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the pillows 101 and 102 are again placed so that the long arms 103 and 104 are substantially parallel and spaced apart to define the sleeping space for the infant. The short arms 105 and 106 are both at the same end (e.g. the head of the infant) and are pointing away from each other. In this configuration, the pillows 101 and 102 are unlikely to roll due to the short arms preventing rotational movement of the pillows 101 and 102 away from the infant.

When sleeping, it is advantageous for the infant to sleep on its back, for the reasons noted above. However, when awake, it is often desired to provide “tummy time” for the infant. Tummy time is when the infant lies on its tummy with its weight on the forearms. Tummy time build strength in the head, neck, and upper body and is an important part of infant development. In addition, tummy time can help ameliorate or reduce positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly.

One of the ways to assist the infant during tummy time is the use of a pillow to prop the infant up, typically after the infant gains more head control. In the prior art there are special pillows available for tummy time. An advantage of the present apparatus is that it may be arranged to serve dual purpose as a sleep bolster and as a tummy time pillow.

FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus in use as a tummy time pillow. Pillow 101 is disposed on pillow 102 so that the short arms 103 and 104 are parallel to, and at opposite ends of, each other. This helps prevent the tummy time pillow from rolling during use. In one embodiment, the short arms 103 and 104 can be pointed in opposite directions in this configuration to prevent the apparatus from rolling in either direction.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each pillow 101 and 102 has one or more compartments disposed in one side, such as compartments 112 and 113 of 101 and compartments 114 and 115 of 102. The compartments use folded closures to maintain softness for the infant to avoid any sharp or hard edges for the infant. In one embodiment, the compartments contain small loops and soft buttons that can be engaged with each other to keep the two pillows together during tummy time. In another embodiment, the compartments contain Velcro or some other fastening material that can be exposed by opening the closures, allowing for the joining of the pillows into the tummy time format. After tummy time use, the fastening means are tucked back into the closures where they do not come into contact with the infant during sleep. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first pillow comprising a first long arm and a first short arm disposed at approximately a right angle to the first long arm; a second pillow comprising a second long arm and a second short arm disposed at approximately a right angle to the second long arm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including compartments disposed in the first long arm and the second long arm.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each compartment includes a fastening means so that the first pillow may be removably coupled to the second pillow. 